Friday, July 30, 2004

Les Cadeux Gourmets

A Seattle Bon Vivant reader sent me the following email a couple days ago:

"Hello, I thought you would like to know about this shop (Les Cadeux Gourmets) in Queen Anne. I really do enjoy your web site. We have a lot of common interests and favorite Seattle places. Best to you, Michelle"

Well, I took a drive there yesterday during a little mid-day work break. I absolutely loved the shop. Les Cadeaux Gourmets is reminiscent of New York's Takashimaya, an upscale epicurean boutique that carries many lines exclusive to their shop in the Seattle area. The store is gorgeous, very Zen like and with a lovely array of all kinds of treasures.

From Bernardaud to Vosges Haut Chocolat chocolates, Ito-En teas and MarieBelle chocolates (Fedexed to the shop oncea week straight from the New York)and teas. Their bookshelves are a wonder. LCG stocks an exclusive selection of the "crème de la crème" in terms of food and wine books (most of Alain Ducasse and Pierre Hermé books and they even carry Art Culinaire, a hard to find hardbound culinary publication geared towards the professional cook and the passionate gourmet homecook). You can also find selected Staub cookware pieces, Clara Confectioners cookies, Verithé tea lollipos, a few items from L.A based Little Flower Candy Co., tools and accesories, beautiful serving and salad bowls, imported oils and vinegars, jams and jellies, soaps, condiments, whimsical stationary and fabulous linens. With in-store events already in place (Patricia Wells visited the store recently for a book signing), cooking & flower arranging classes and online shopping are in the works for their website.

They even have a small section of super cute baby gifts. Seis Kamimura, one of the owners (previously of Spago and CHI in Los Angeles), told me that the he and his wife Pia (who grew up in Seattle and eventually became General Manager of Bada Lounge) opened the boutique in March. By the looks of things, it is doing great. The color palette, potted herbs and warm light coming through the windows was enough for me to want to stay longer than the little time I had to shop with.

Add to that a warm, welcoming and knowledgeable service of the owner and you have the makings of a new Seattle classic. It was a joy to shop at Les Cadeaux Gourmets. Intimate and friendly. Upscale yet accessible. With something for everyone in every price range. And they wrap your gifts in lovely tissue, ribbon and their signature bag (free of charge). I walked away with books, gourmet treats and the cutest gift tags made out of ice cream wooden spoons printed with To and From. Michelle, you were right. Thanks so much for letting me know about this little gem of a shop.

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Les Cadeux Gourmets

A Seattle Bon Vivant reader sent me the following email a couple days ago:

"Hello, I thought you would like to know about this shop (Les Cadeux Gourmets) in Queen Anne. I really do enjoy your web site. We have a lot of common interests and favorite Seattle places. Best to you, Michelle"

Well, I took a drive there yesterday during a little mid-day work break. I absolutely loved the shop. Les Cadeaux Gourmets is reminiscent of New York's Takashimaya, an upscale epicurean boutique that carries many lines exclusive to their shop in the Seattle area. The store is gorgeous, very Zen like and with a lovely array of all kinds of treasures.

From Bernardaud to Vosges Haut Chocolat chocolates, Ito-En teas and MarieBelle chocolates (Fedexed to the shop oncea week straight from the New York)and teas. Their bookshelves are a wonder. LCG stocks an exclusive selection of the "crème de la crème" in terms of food and wine books (most of Alain Ducasse and Pierre Hermé books and they even carry Art Culinaire, a hard to find hardbound culinary publication geared towards the professional cook and the passionate gourmet homecook). You can also find selected Staub cookware pieces, Clara Confectioners cookies, Verithé tea lollipos, a few items from L.A based Little Flower Candy Co., tools and accesories, beautiful serving and salad bowls, imported oils and vinegars, jams and jellies, soaps, condiments, whimsical stationary and fabulous linens. With in-store events already in place (Patricia Wells visited the store recently for a book signing), cooking & flower arranging classes and online shopping are in the works for their website.

They even have a small section of super cute baby gifts. Seis Kamimura, one of the owners (previously of Spago and CHI in Los Angeles), told me that the he and his wife Pia (who grew up in Seattle and eventually became General Manager of Bada Lounge) opened the boutique in March. By the looks of things, it is doing great. The color palette, potted herbs and warm light coming through the windows was enough for me to want to stay longer than the little time I had to shop with.

Add to that a warm, welcoming and knowledgeable service of the owner and you have the makings of a new Seattle classic. It was a joy to shop at Les Cadeaux Gourmets. Intimate and friendly. Upscale yet accessible. With something for everyone in every price range. And they wrap your gifts in lovely tissue, ribbon and their signature bag (free of charge). I walked away with books, gourmet treats and the cutest gift tags made out of ice cream wooden spoons printed with To and From. Michelle, you were right. Thanks so much for letting me know about this little gem of a shop.